Tropical Storm John Set to Become Hurricane, Threatening Mexico's Pacific Coast

Tropical Storm John is forecasted to intensify into a hurricane by Monday afternoon, moving toward Mexico's Pacific coast. The storm is expected to make landfall near Puerto Escondido on Tuesday, bringing strong winds, dangerous storm surges, and life-threatening flash floods. Preparations are urged to protect life and property.

Tropical Storm John is rapidly growing and is set to become a hurricane by Monday afternoon as it barrels toward Mexico's Pacific coast, the U.S.-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) has reported.

The storm is expected to accelerate before making landfall near resort destination Puerto Escondido on Tuesday. The NHC warned that the storm would bring strong winds, a dangerous storm surge, and life-threatening flash flooding.

Preparations should be "rushed to completion" to protect life and property as winds are predicted to slam the coast by Monday evening, the NHC cautioned. A hurricane warning spans the coastline from Punta Maldonado to Bahias de Huatulco, with a tropical storm warning stretching east to Salina Cruz, where Mexican state-run oil company Pemex's largest domestic refinery is located. Meanwhile, resort town Acapulco, which was battered by Hurricane Otis last year, is expected to be spared.

(With inputs from agencies.)